Growth Conditions and Maintenance of Natural Monument Old Big Trees in Gangwondo

강원도 내 천연기념물 노거수의 생육환경 및 관리현황

Old big tree transcends the simple meaning of trees as they are the natural monuments that embody the people's history and culture of this land. The Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea (CHA) defines and protects old big tree based not only on the size of the tree but also on its definitive cultural and natural factors such as value, implications, and originality. This research aims to identify and analyze the habitation and measurements, the soil conditions, as well as the protective facilities of 14 old big tree spread throughout the Gangwondo. The research examined the soundness of the arboreal form, the degree of damage on the bark, as well as the quantity of leafs levels to evaluate the overall condition of growth and development. Then, the tree height, the eastwest and south-north width of the crown, the sternum circumference, and the root circumference were recorded to identify the measurements of the selected old big tree. Also, the research analyzed 9 elements such as soil texture, pH levels, and organic contents in order to determine the scientific characteristics of soil upon which the trees draw nutrition. Finally, the research evaluated supporting pillars, lightning rods, iron pulling-facilities, as well as notice boards to study the protective facilities of old big tree. The research procedures revealed that 78.57% of the old big tree identified as natural monuments in the Gangwondo have average to above average habitation conditions. Also, the average tree height reaches 18.80m above ground while the average root circumference measures 7.34m. Moreover, the results of the scientific analyses conducted on the soil elements determined that most chemical values were within the defined levels, with the exception of phosphoric acid levels falling within the hyper-nutritious range. Finally, although most of the protective facilities did support the habitation of the Old big tree, there were some supporting pillars and iron pulling-facilities that actually damaged the trees. This research means to provide foundational reference data for the analysis of the habitation and management conditions of natural monument old big tree within the Gangwondo. A follow-up topic led by the results of this research is the identification and analysis of correlating environmental elements that affect the habitation of the old big tree.

천연기념물 노거수는 오랫동안 우리 민족의 역사, 문화와 함께해 온 존재로서 단순한 나무 이상의 의미를 지니고 있다. 문화재청에서는 노거수 중에서도 크기뿐만 아니라 진귀성, 상징성, 고유성 등 문화적 자연적 요소가 뚜렷한 것들을 천연기념물로 지정하여 보호하고 있다. 본 연구는 천연기념물 노거수 중 강원도내 분포하는 14건의 생육현황과 제원 및 토양환경, 보호시설 현황을 파악하고자 수행하였다. 연구결과, 강원도의 천연기념물 노거수는 78.57% 이상이 보통이거나 보통 이상의 생육현황을 나타내었다. 수고는 평균 18.80m, 근원둘레는 평균 7.34m인것으로 나타났다. 토양환경 분석결과 대부분 전국 산림토양 대비 평균치를 나타내었으나 유효인산은 과영양 상태인 것으로 분석되었다. 보호시설은 대부분 양호한 상태이나 지주대와 쇠당김 시설 일부는 수목에 피해를 주고 있는 것으로 나타났다. 본 연구는 강원도 내 천연기념물 노거수의 생육환경과 관리현황 분석을 통한 관리 기초자료 제공에 의의를 두며, 생육에 영향을 주는 환경인자와의 관련성 등은 추후 과제로 남겨둔다.